words on the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:25 (NASB) --- If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

I am reading Forgotten God the new by Francis Chan, and God is speaking incredible ways. What I have known and heard for years is that we often leave out the work of the Holy Spirit. We talk receiving the Spirit but rarely about following the Spirit. Here are some pieces of what I read today:

We need the Spirit in order to life faithfully. But we also need each other as we work out our faith. (page 56)

Chan writes, I can't imagine how much it pains God to see His children hold back from relationship with the Holy Spirit out of fear that He won't come through. (page 48)

"... many of us don't want to be led by anyone other than ourselves. The whole idea of giving up control is terrifying, isn't it?" (page 50)

Sometimes the sin that we take on becomes such a part of us that it requires this same kind of ripping and tearing us free. The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christlike, and this can be painful. (page 51)

Here is a statement that has left me thinking most of the day ... I should have tested what I was hearing in the context of faithful community. (page 55)

Chan is saying that we often believe what others tell us rather than looking at the truth of God's word. Hearing from God ourselves. We are often scared that we might not believe the right thing, but God put us in Biblical community with others who know God so that we can encourage, bless and teach each other. Think about that. What is "faithful community"?

The Holy Spirit is not an option. He is the part of God that lives in our lives. When Jesus left earth, He promised another just like Him would come to earth, would take residence inside of us and be our guide and helper. That is something incredible that God does for us. His desire is that we lose control as He, the Holy Spirit of God, gains control of our lives.

These words on the Holy Spirit are incredible. I challenge us to take a fresh look at what God is doing and saying. God loves us. His Holy Spirit lives inside us. Incredible things to come!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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